Nature Contained

This weekend the weather has finally cooled down so we finally were able to plant fall containers at some of our neighbors’ shops. I really enjoy all the fall combinations with all its chards, beets, cabbages, kales and peppers. I also like to add some other textures like heuchera, ajuga, carex, juncus, lysmachia and chameleon plant. This year, due to the drought, I found it very difficult to find the big healthy grasses which I like to use as a central element in the containers. I found a few nice specimens of switch grass which I used in the container below; but other than that I found our fall palette was lacking in the height department. I started using large massings of curly willow and clusters of gorgeous iris plants, both variegated and standard, which seems to have solved my little problem. The nice thing about the curly willow is that you can bottom light them from deep in the center of the vessel and create an autumnal spooky glow-especially if you use an orangey-red flickering light. I promise you its tasteful!!!

It’s always fun to plant the front containers at The Cottage. The Cottage is absolutely magical! Owner Nancy Hemmenway has created a sanctuary for all things beautiful for the home. All the women at The Cottage are absolutely wonderful and extremely talented in the world of visual merchandising. We are so fortunate to be surrounded with such lovely people in our community! Here’s a little fun garden snip it, Ivy Hall, Cottage employee and super cute new mom is married to the hort-rock star Ed Bowen of Opus. Visit Opus' website to learn more about Ed's uncommon line up of plants.
Here’s a peek inside The Cottage…

Wednesday David, Ken and I met up with Sarah Spongberg of Sarah B Spongberg Interiors, for a fun-filled day of prop styling at Quansett Farm for a Boston Globe photo shoot. It is always great to work with Sarah; her interiors are simple, organic, luxurious and practical. Boy, it’s so refreshing to meet smart, cozy, talented women!

We decided to go over to Sarah’s early to pick up some props and caffeinate before the shoot. While we were there, Sarah pointed out her ever so special, Osage-orange tree (Maclura pomifera) or hedge apple which happens to be dropping its chartreuse, brain textured, orb shaped fruit. This tree is HUGE. In fact, it is the largest in New England; the plant is native to Central United States and only a handful of large specimens reside in the area. What a great last minute prop addition!

Here they are in action at the photoshoot!

We brought some fruit back to the shop where David created this fresh vignette. I love how they look all pilled up in the tall glass vessels.

Last Sunday for an early celebration of or anniversary and a late celebration of David’s birthday, Ken, Maria, David and I trekked out to Northampton to visit our dear friend and NC collaborator, Jen Bates and to take in a Ryan Adams show at the Calvin.

We had a great afternoon catching up, visiting some of Jen’s accounts and touching base on Nature Contained’s Squash Event which is slotted for October 13th. (Details will be posted later in the week!) If you are ever in Northampton and are in need for a magical coffee or tasty beer check out Northampton Coffee (for all things caffeine) and The Dirty Truth (beer & food) they come highly recommended from our panel of coffee and beer aficionados.

The Ryan Adams show was a perfect end to the evening. I feel fortunate that we were able to see him perform at such a lovely venue. It was definitely worth the 2 ½ hr. late night drive. On the way back to RI I got thinking about the past two years with Ken and our little world, which is filled with such fun and crazy things like summer camp, flower shops and our future role of becoming parents this spring. I am grateful that things lined up they way they did, that we both took foolish jobs at REI in the fall of 2001 and fell in love. Our timing must be right because at age the age of 9, Ken wouldn't be happy living in the world of gardening and due to an unfortunate trip to girl scout camp at age 8, I wouldn't fair too well in the world of camp. And here's the proof!

The image below depicts a passage that Sue, Ken’s mom, recorded in 1983- just before his family returned from 3 years living in Geneva. Sue did a phenomenal job documenting the boys’ lives while living overseas. This particular passage records a conversation where Sue is asking the boys what they will miss in Geneva and what they are looking forward to in Harvard, Massachusetts. Ken does not seem to be too impressed with European garden culture.

The image below depicts a letter that my poor parents received while I was a camper. My parents have a pretty good sense of humor, so they found these pretty funny. What a drama queen!
An here we are 2 years ago... celebrating with our friends at a summer camp, all adorned with flowers.

Finally, a full day of rain. The plants must be so happy- I bet they are singing. I hope the rain continues into the night because there is nothing better then falling asleep to the sound of rain falling on the roof and into the gutters.

I have been thinking a lot about collecting rainwater, so with today's weather as my inspiration, I decided to dive into the world of rain butts. There are so many cool water collecting products on the market these days; here are some models I found interesting.

Gardeners Supply Co. has a nice pop up rain barrel that is made out of flexible, puncture-resistant laminated polyester. The top mesh screen zips open for easy dipping plus it comes with a pre-installed garden hose thread and cap.

The most beautiful water butt I found was a British model which I am itching to find the distributor and carry them in the shop. It also comes in a fun green apple color. I love the cute watering can and spout!
I must say I was surprised to find such a variety of styles. For every super efficient, high tech model crafted in recycled plastic there was some over priced, over styled model. I found Corinthian columns, faux terracotta beehives, plastic granite rocks (like the ones they sell in those airline shopping magazines for people hide keys under or place over well caps), a cranky ol' log and even an Egyptian cat. But my favorite alternative design has to be the Butt Butts model, which you guessed it- is in the shape of a tush. It comes in three different flesh toned colors is and adorned with a cute tramp stamp!!

If there was a recipe for the end of summer in Tiverton Four Corners I am pretty sure the list of ingredients would sound something like this:
6 ears of summer corn- Walkers Roadside Stand down the street is currently selling their Montauk variety which is lovely! While you’re there grab a few heirloom tomatoes. They look great sitting in your window while they ripen, plus they smell great. Stop by Milk and Honey Bazaar and purchase a wedge of their Cotswold cheddar. Once the tomatoes have ripened you can make the most magical grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches.

2 scoops of Gray’s blueberry ice cream.

3 bunches of field-grown Dahlias which look particularly lovely in our wooden kikar vases.

1 trip to the ocean preferably, Howland beach, to play on the rocks and picnic after 5 when the light is great.

2 hours of the late afternoon breeze, which usually rolls in to the shop around 2:30-3:00 and makes everyone stop in their tracks, bask in the sun and welcome this little moment of fall.
1 light cashmere sweater in a fun color or pattern to keep you warm while you eat your ice cream and visit the sea. Check out the starling critter tee @ J.Crew.
1 cute sidekick. In my case, a dreamy husband, who will be returning home from a three month stint at camp tonight!